“The clearest indication yet that Sacramento has no plan to deal with the closing of emergency rooms in California occurred yesterday and today when AB 911 and SB 787 failed to pass out of the Assembly and Senate Health Committees. This says a lot more about a flawed process than anything else, and in no way reflects upon the City of San Clemente, Saddleback Memorial, or our residents, who made a compelling case for the need to take action now.

“Fundamentally, we are deeply troubled by Sacramento’s failure to recognize the scope of the problem and support these enduring community health care needs. With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the rapidly changing health care industry, California must develop a comprehensive plan of response. If not, more hospitals will close and more Californians will go unserved. Our efforts will always be for our residents regardless of special interests and industry trends and we will continue to make this case. Our work has not ended with the committees’ votes on our bills.

“We are grateful for the outpouring of support for our legislation. South Orange County residents need and deserve access to life-saving emergency services, and despite what happened yesterday and today, we encourage local leaders to explore local solutions.

“We thank our legislative colleagues who took the time to tour San Clemente Hospital last September and the committee members who voted in support of our bills. We hope this helps shed more light on this growing problem throughout the state.

“The City of San Clemente, Saddleback Memorial and the Save San Clemente Hospital Foundation worked tirelessly in support of our legislation and that is why we hope all sides can continue to work together to find a realistic solution for South Orange County residents. We ask that San Clemente Hospital remain open until a solution is agreed upon.”

Both of these bills would have authorized San Clemente Hospital to operate a free-standing emergency room under Saddleback’s consolidated license to ensure that emergency services remain available to local residents.

San Clemente Hospital has served South Orange County for more than 40 years and is the only emergency care facility in San Clemente and neighboring communities. Saddleback Memorial, the hospital’s operator, is considering plans to convert it into an ambulatory health care campus that would provide outpatient surgery and urgent care services.